WHYN Local News

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE--IT'S TUESDAY AND HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING

The flu is widespread across the state. Beware of a cough, a fever and sore throat. Although the state says there are almost 900 confirmed cases in the state. Of those, Worcester officials say there are about 60 confirmed cases. It’s not too late to get a flu shot.

Just under the deadline, MGM has filed nearly 7 thousand pages of its official application for a Springfield casino. Now early next year the State Gaming Commission will decide whether they will win the project. They are the only western Mass casino operator left.

Bain Capital is going to be the new owner of Bob’s Discount Furniture. There were a bunch of rumors that the company was for sale. No terms of the deal were announced. Among the stores is one in West Springfield.

Dennis Rosa Roman has been indicted by a Hampden County grand jury of the murder of Amanda Plasse. She was killed in her apartment January 7th of 2011. Although Rosa-Roman has been indicted, the District Attorney has not provided any evidence or reasons for the murder. It is expected that he will now be arraigned in Superior Court next week.

A 57 year old Worcester man is charged with choking a woman and then throwing her to the ground. Police say the woman called police where she told them she was scared after she hit the dresser in her home. Still under investigation. Police say Rickey Walter is charged with assault to murder, assault and battery and resisting arrest.

A dog killing in Berkshire County where police in Peru say they have no clues into who shot and killed a 10 month old Great Pyrenees puppy named Hercules last week. Happened right before Christmas. The North Road owner says Hercules was loyal and was last heard from barking at something. The owner says that the dog was buried on Christmas Eve. Anyone with information is asked to call Peru Police at 655-8377.

The victim in that Northampton King Street fatal car crash Friday has been identified. Charles Carl Pierce- 84 died in that two car crash. The accident still under investigation.

The special election to fill Don Humason’s old House Seat when he won a seat in the State Senate has been set. The House Speaker says that a primary election if it is needed is set for March 4th and the General Election is set for April 1st. So far only two people have come forward-they are getting signatures. Democrat John Velis and Republican Dan Allie have thrown their hats in the ring for the seat.

It looks like Westfield Gas and Electric Company is going to be raising rates. The company says the pipeline structure that delivers the natural gas is not keeping up with demand. They say that they have absorbed some of the increases but may not be able to do that much more. There could be an increase in rates before the end of the winter.

A new supermarket opens in the area. The new Aldi’s is going to open January 9th in West Springfield. The German Company is known for its low prices and you even put a deposit on your grocery cart so you are sure to bring it back. The company also has stores in Chicopee and Enfield among other places.